Illustrator :: Create A Black Circle

Using Adobe Illustrator 10 for Windows 98 (no kidding).I'm designing a spot logo for a Charity.What I want to do is:
 
1. Create a black circle (not filled, just the outline)
2. Have a word on top (in this case, International) follow the path of the curve.
3. Have the words "Awareness Fund" on the bottom, right-side up
 
Here is the issue:

1. I can make the path for the circle but I cannot make it any given color, it just disappears when I click off of it.  How do I do this?
2. I can get the word on the top to follow the curve, but I cannot break out of it..  I don't know the term.  I cannot get the text tool to 'let go' of the previous word and start new ones. 
3.  When I try to put the words "Awareness Fund" on the bottom not only do I have the problem that it is still attached to the first word on top but the letters are upside down.. how do I convert them to be right-side up?